Variable length rotor apparatus

ABSTRACT

A variable length rotor apparatus, including a rotor body having a plurality of insertable segments arranged around the periphery of the rotor body, the number of the segments being selected to coincide with the number of contacts desired, giving the rotor a variable length capability. The segments are held in position in the rotor by clamping rings, each segment having pin connections which enable it to function as a separate contact in the rotor body. Associated with the rotor body structure are appropriate stator body sections embodying the same principles.

United States Patent 1191 Bochicchio [451 Aug. 14, 1973 VARIABLE LENGTH ROTOR APPARATUS 75 Inventor: Philip J. Bochicchio, Ellicott City,

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army 22 Filed: Dec. 17, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 97,449

[52] US. Cl. 339/18 P, 200/25, 200/179 [51] Int. Cl H0lr 25/00 [58] Field of Search 339/18, 5, 18 P,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Samuel Feinberg Attorney-John R. Utermohle [S 7] ABSTRACT A variable length rotor apparatus, including a rotor body having a plurality of insertable segments arranged around the periphery of the rotor body, the number of the segments being selected to coincide with the number of contacts desired, giving the rotor a variable length capability. The segments are held in position in the rotor by clamping rings, each segment having pin connections which enable it to function as a separate contact in the rotor body. Associated with the rotor body structure are appropriate stator body sections ern bodying the same principles. 1

4 Clahns, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 14, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TOR.

PHILIP J. aocmgzmo BY W Patented Aug. 14,1973 I 3,753,208

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PHILIP J. BOCHICC IO 7 Y Y 2* l VARIABLE LENGTH ROTOR APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the mechanical rotor art and more particularly to rotors and stators which can be easily assembled and disassembled and which contain a variable number of contacts.

The prior art contains many different kinds of rotor assemblies. Many of the rotors and stators comprising these assemblies may be assembled and disassembled with relative case. As an example, see US. Pat. No. 2,407,695 to Washcoe. The prior part also teaches means for varying the connections between input and output sections of the rotor according to the demands of the application. Others disclose the use of cam-type structures which can be selectively moved into position to contact a recording device or the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,522,119 to Kaelin.

However, all of the prior art rotor apparatuses (including both rotors and/or stators for the purposes of the description of the present invention) have a basic limitation in their structure. This limitation is the inflexibility of its physical construction. Each prior art rotor apparatus has a fixed number of input and output contacts designed into the structure. It is possible to vary the contacts within the rotor/stator itself; that is, any one particular input contact may be connected to any one of a number of output contacts. However, it is not possible to vary the number of contacts within the rotor/stator itself. Once a rotor/stator is constructed, the number of contacts within that rotor/stator remains fixed, although the connections between the input and output contacts may be varied on a point-to-point basis. This inherent inflexibility in the rotor construction of the prior art has several disadvantages. First, it becomes very costly to design and manufacture a rotor/- stator for each particular application, as is required by the prior art. Second, the process of design and construction is time consuming, and very often the requirement for the apparatus becomes obsolete once it is finally constructed. Thus, the prior art is seen to suffer from several disadvantages due to the physical inflexibility of its construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a rotor apparatus with a variable number of contacts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotor apparatus whereby the individual contacts can be easily and economically inserted or removed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a variable length rotor apparatus whereby the individual contacts can be accurately and securely clamped into place.

A rotor or stator apparatus that has a variable length capability might include a plurality of insertable and removable segments providing a variable number of contacts in the rotor/stator and means for securing the individual segments in place.

More particularly, the invention encompasses a rotor frame structure which will hold the individual segments, each segment having a contact element on it and being shaped to fit onto a center support ring. The segments are then secured into place with two ring-like structures, which clamp the segments securely against the center support ring. The rings may easily be removed and thenumber of segments increased or decreased when the number of contacts within the rotor is to be changed. This feature gives the rotor a variable length capability, in that the actual number of contact surfaces around the periphery of the rotor may be varied according to the needs of the particular application. The present invention may also include a stator section which would further include a stator'frame, a clamping ring and a number of stator segments, each stator segment having one or more pin connections, thus making connections between an input line and the input side of the rotor or the output side of the rotor and an output line. The stator section might include a frame structure which will hold the individual segments, each segment having a contact element on it and being shaped to fit into an annular groove in the frame structure. The segments are then fixed into place in the stator frame with another ring-like structure, which clamps the segments into the groove in the frame structure. This ring may then be easily removed and the number of segments changed according to the number of contacts within DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a stator assembled in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rotor assembled in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 77 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The drawings represent apreferred embodiment of the invention. The invention can be divided intothree basic parts: first, the apparatus which makes up the stator section of the invention; second, the apparatus which makes up the rotor section; and third,jthe segments which are fitted into the stator and rotor sections. Two basic types of segments are used. One type with two variations is used in the stator section of the invention and the other in the rotor section of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stator section is composed, of a clamping ring 11, a stator frame 12, a num ber of machine screws l3--I3 to hold the ring 11 to the stator frame, and the segments 16-16, which are held in place between the clamping ring 11 and the stator frame 12. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two identical stator sections, one stator section providing the input to the rotor section and the other providing the output from the rotor section. Referring to FIG. 2, the clamping ring 11 is a ring of machined metal which have an inside diameter of 4.565 inches and an outside diameter of 5.995 inches. Tolerance of the outside diameter is 0.005 inches in the minus direction only. The tolerance for the inside diameter is 0.005 inches in the plus direction only. The clamping ring 11 also has a beveled edge on one of its outside surfaces as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, there are a number of threaded holes arranged at regular intervals around the clamping ring for clamping the ring 11 to the stator frame 12.

The stator frame 12 serves as a receptacle for the clamping ring 11 and the stator segments 16-16. The stator frame 12 is in the general shape shown in FIG. 1. The frame has a large, circular opening of the same diameter as the inside diameter of the clamping ring 11. In addition, the frame 12 has a circular recess for receiving the clamping ring 11, the recess having an inside border coincident with the circular opening of the frame and an outside diameter equal to the outside diameter of the clamping ring 11 and as deep, to give a contiguous surface between the clamping ring 11 and the stator frame 12 when the clamping ring is clamped into place with the segments 16-16 in their proper location, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, a keyway 17 is machined in the stator frame 12. There are also a number of tapped holes in the stator frame at regularity with those in the clamping ring so that the clamping ring may be clamped to the stator frame.

Inserted between the clamping ring 11 and the stator frame 12 are a number of stator segments. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that two variations of segments are used in the stator section. Both variations have the same physical configuration, with the exception that one segment has two pin connections and the other segment has only one pin connection. Each segment 16 has a key 18 for insertion into the keyway 17,

the surfaces of both segments fitting flush against surfaces of the stator frame and the clamping ring when the segments are clamped into place. One side of a pin connection, designated by the numeral 21 in FIGS. 3 and 4, is utilized to make a connection with an input line or an output line, and the other side, designated by the numeral 22, is a floating-ball type connection, and makes a connection with one side of the rotor section. The stator is assembled by placing the desired number of stator segments 16-16 around the outside of the stator frame 11 in a regular pattern, the notch 18 of each segment 16 fitting into the keyway 17 of the stator frame 12. The segments 16-16 are then clamped in 7 place against the stator frame by the clamping ring 11,

the structure being secured by a number of cap screws 13-13.

' Referring to FIGS. and 6, the rotor section is composed of a center support ring 23, two clamping rings 26 and 27, and a number of rotor segments 2828 which are clamped between the center support ring and the two clamping rings. In addition, there are two cover spacers 29 and 30, a center assembly 31, and a number of screws 32-32 to hold the assembly in place. The center support ring, shown in FIG. 6, may be a ring of machine metal, with an inside diameter of 3.219 inches and an outside diameter of 3.844 inches. The two identical clamping rings, 26 and 27, have a configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Both clamping rings have tapped holes at regular intervals to receive machine screws to clamp two rings together. The clamping rings are chamfered on their inside diameter so as to clamp the segments securely against the center support ring.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a configuration of the rotor segments is shown. The rotor segment has two chamfered edges 33 and 34, which fit against the chamfered edges of the clamping rings 26 and 27. Each segment 28 also has a larger notch 36 in its inside face for insertion onto the center support ring 23. When the two clamping rings are tightened against each other with the segments in place on the center support ring, the segments are pressed against the center support ring. This pressure holds the rotor segments securely in place. The rotor segment has two pin connections 37 and 38, which connect the rotor to the stator sections of the assembly, when the pin connection 22 of the stator contacts the pin connections of the rotor. Each pin connection in the rotor segment has center openings 41 and 42. A common plug line may be inserted into these openings, thereby giving a complete electrical connection from an input line through a first stator section, through a rotor section and through another stator section, to an output line. For instance, if it were desired to utilize just one segment in the rotor section, and to make a direct connection within the segment itself, a connecting line with plugs at both ends, such as standard IBM plug wire, would be inserted into the openings 41 and 42 of a rotor segment. This would give a direct connection between both sides of the rotor. An input signal would then proceed from its input line to the input connection pin. 21 of an input stator section, through the stator section, through stator pin connection 22, through rotor pin connection 37, through the connection within the segment now provided by the plug wire, through rotor pin connection 38 of the rotor segment to the stator pin connection 37 of an output stator, through the output stator, through the output pin connection 38 of the output stator to the output line. The foregoing example of a typical operation assumed that the input and output stator connections were physically coincident with the rotor section pin connections.

The rotor section also contains a center assembly 31, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and two cover spacers 29 and 30, which fit over the center area of the rotor structure, and offer protection for the wire connections made between the two pin connections of the various rotor segments. In assembly, the desired number of rotor segments is placed at regular intervals onthe center support ring, and the two clamping rings 26 and 27 are then placed on the outside of the segments, as shown in FIG. '6. The two rings are then screwed together, thereby clamping the segments securely against the center support ring. The center assembly and the two cover spacers are then screwed into place as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In operation, the rotor section is capable of providing a scrambled connection between the input stator and the output stator. The scramble is effected by plugging or connecting one pin connection of any one of the rotor segments to the opposite pin connection of another one of the rotor segments. Thus, a signal might travel from an input stator structure to one side of a rotor section, through a plug wire to the opposite pin connection of another segment of the rotor section and then to the pin connection of an output stator, through the output stator to the output line. This gives a scrambled effect between the input and output stators. In addition, the rotor section of the present invention shows a variable length capability. The number of contacts can be increased or decreased merely by removing or inserting the desired number of segments. As can be seen from the above, this can be accomplished easily and economically merely by removing the clamping rings and inserting or removing the desired numberof segments and again spacing them at regular intervals around the periphery, of the center support ring. The number of contacts within the stator section may just as easily be varied by removing the clamping rings, and then removing or inserting appropriate number of stator segments. Thus, one rotor structure is capable of a variety of rotor applications. The number of contacts within the rotor may be varied according to the wishes of the operator, without having to construct a new rotor, or any additional parts. The result is a variable length rotor.

While only a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, the rotor structure may be altered or modified in various ways, and many modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas hereinafter defined by the appended claims. For example, it is possible to use many different types of physical configurations so that contact segments may be easily removed and clamped into place around the periphery of a rotor body. Additionally, it is. not necessary that the rotor assembly consist of only one rotor and two stator sections. There may be several rotors stacked in sequence between an input and an output stator section.

What is claimed is:

1. A variable length rotor comprising:

a plurality of insertable and removable rotor segments, each segment being individually insertable and removable in said'rotor, said segments having at least one input and one output contact means,

means for securing said segments in place,

said securing means including a center support ring and at least first and second clamping rings for clamping the segments securely in place,

said input and output contacts of said rotor segments having a recess therein for receiving one end of a plug wire, said input contact of any one of said segments thus being connected to said output contact of any one of said segments, and

said rotor segments having a cut-out portion for insertion of said rotor segments onto said center support ring and two chamfered edges coacting with said first and second clamping rings to secure said segments against said center support ring.

2. A variable length rotor according to claim 1,

wherein said rotor segments are inserted around the periphery of said center support ring, said rotor segments being evenly spaced around said periphery, and said first and second clamping rings then positioned against said chamfered edges of said rotor segments, said first and second clamping rings securing said rotor segments against said center support ring.

3. A variable length stator comprising:

a plurality of insertable and removable stator seg ments, said stator segments having at least one input and one output connection,

means for securing said segments in place,

said stator segments having at least one continuous connection between the input and output sides of said stator segments,

said securing means including a stator frame and a clamping ring for securing said stator segments to said frame, and l said stator frame including a circular opening in said stator frame, an annular keyway etched in said stator frame of a larger diameter than the circular opening, and a recess in said stator frame for receiving said clamping ring.

4. A variable length stator according to claim 3,

wherein said stator segments have a notch portion for insertion into said keyway, said stator segments being evenly spaced around the inside of said opening, said clamping ring fitting into said recess in said stator frame over said inserted stator segments, said stator segments being secured against said frame when said clamping ring is clamped to said frame. 

1. A variable length rotor comprising: a plurality of insertable and removable rotor segments, each segment being individually insertable and removable in said rotor, said segments having at least one input and one output contact means, means for securing said segments in place, said securing means including a center support ring and at least first and second clamping rings for clamping the segments securely in place, said input and output contacts of said rotor segments having a recess therein for receiving one end of a plug wire, said input contact of any one of said segments thus being connected to said output contact of any one of said segments, and said rotor segments having a cut-out portion for insertion of said rotor segments onto said center support ring and two chamfered edges coacting with said first and second clamping rings to secure said segments against said center support ring.
 2. A variable length rotor according to claim 1, wherein said rotor segments are inserted around the periphery of said center support ring, said rotor segments being evenly spaced around said periphery, and said first and second clamping rings then positioned against said chamfered edges of said rotor segments, said first and second clamping rings securing said rotor segments against said center support ring.
 3. A variable length stator comprising: a plurality of insertable and removable stator segments, said stator segments having at least one input and one output connection, means for securing said segments in place, said stator segments having at least one continuous connection between the input and output sides of said stator segments, said securing means including a stator frame and a clamping ring for securing said stator segments to said frame, and said stator frame including a circular opening in said stator frame, an annular keyway etched in said stator frame of a larger diameter than the circular opening, and a recess in said stator frame for receiving said clamping ring.
 4. A variable length stator according to claim 3, wherein said stator segments have a notch portion for insertion into said keyway, said stator segments being evenly spaced around the inside of said opening, said clamping ring fitting into said recess in said stator frame over said inserted stator segments, said stator segments being secured against said frame when said clamping ring is clamped to said frame. 